Not
all the giant superstars of the 1970s were millionaires. One
notable case was Raymond O' Sullivan, an Irishman in a cloth cap
who took his stage name from the famous W.S. Gilbert and Arthur
Sullivan.
But 'W.S. Arthur' was not to enjoy any major success, and so he
changed his name to Gilbert O'Sullivan. This proved to be the key
to success but he was to see almost no money until he sued his
manager (A chap by the name of Kirkpatrick) some 10 years later.
Gilbert O' Sullivan's first hit came in 1971 with Nothing
Rhymed. He introduced himself to the world wearing an
over-sized school uniform - a gimmick which detracted from his
considerable song writing talent.
In 1972, his Alone Again (Naturally) topped the US
charts for six weeks - his biggest international hit. As part of
his approach to the US he ditched the school uniform in favour of
a preppy sweater and college scarf. "The boy is growing
up" he told journalists at the time.
The single was quickly followed by the US Top 10 album Gilbert
O' Sullivan - Himself, and O' Sullivan was firmly established
as an international artist, selling records all over the world for
the next five years.
O'Sullivan clocked up no fewer than fourteen Top 40 hits
throughout the 70's - with memorable highlights including Clair,
Why oh Why oh Why, Get Down, Ooh Baby
and I Don't Love You But I Think I Like You - but
was largely AWOL during the 1980s due to wretched contractual
wrangles.
His 90's return was marked mainly by success in Japan and a
rising impatience with those who don't take him seriously.
Gilbert O'Sullivan
Not
all the giant superstars of the 1970s were millionaires. One
notable case was Raymond O' Sullivan, an Irishman in a cloth cap
who took his stage name from the famous W.S. Gilbert and Arthur
Sullivan.
